Real Salt Lake Opens 2018 with a 1-1 Road Draw Against FC Dallas

FRISCO, Texas (Saturday, March 3, 2018) – Real Salt Lake (0-0-1, 1 point) got out to a first half lead against FC Dallas in the 2018 MLS regular season opener, but had to settle for one point after an own goal in the 85th minute drew the match level in a 1-1 draw at Toyota Stadium.

FW Joao Plata scored his first goal of the season and GK Nick Rimando finished with five saves as RSL remains unbeaten in the last nine regular season openers (5-0-4).

Real Salt Lake opened scoring in the 25th minute when MF Albert Rusnák set up Plata for his first goal of the season. RSL held that 1-0 lead into halftime thanks in large part to five saves from Rimando, including one goal-line clearance in the 39th minute, diving to his right to swipe away a shot from Maxi Urruti.

In the second half, RSL absorbed the pressure from Dallas, but in the 86th minute Urruti sent a ball across the goal mouth that deflected off DF Marcelo Silva and in for an own goal, evening the score at 1-1 and that’s how it would finish.

UP NEXT: RSL will host Los Angeles FC in the first match against the expansion club on March 10 at Rio Tinto Stadium.

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

RSL: Joao Plata (Albert Rusnák) 25th minute – On a play started by Damir Kreilach in the midfield, Albert Rusnák fed Joao Plata on a run in behind the Dallas defense up the left side. He cut back to his right foot inside the box and ripped his shot past Jimmy Maurer for his first goal of the year.

FCD: Own Goal (Marcelo Silva) 86th minute – Maxi Urruti got to the endline up the right side and attempted to put a shot inside the far post. His effort deflected off of Marcelo Silva and into the net to equalize at 1-1.

KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:

RSL: Nick Rimando, 22nd minute – Off a quick free kick, Maxi Urruti got in behind the defense and rocketed a shot on goal, but Rimando was there to make the save and keep the match scoreless.

RSL: Nick Rimando, 38th minute – Dallas defender Reggie Cannon made an overlapping run to get into the box up the right side before skipping a ball across the goal mouth. Maxi Urruti got to it at the far post, but his low-angle shot was stopped on the line by Rimando, diving to his right and swiping the shot clear.

NOTES:
- DF Shawn Barry and MF Damir Kreilach both made their MLS debuts in the starting lineup after playing their careers abroad.
- RSL played without DF Tony Beltran (knee), DF Taylor Peay (knee), DF Adam Henley (hamstring), DF Aaron Herrera (hamstring), FW Jordan Allen (knee).
- Real Salt Lake hasn’t lost a season opener since a 2-0 defeat in Seattle in 2009. RSL has run its record to 5-0-4 in openers since then.